Development of PAEK-based materials for 3D printing

Taking on
the challenge to develop a broader platform for new and existingadditive
manufacturing (AM) technologies, the University of Exeter (United Kingdom) and
Victrex, a world leader in high-performance PAEK polymer solutions, have
commenced work in a strategic partnership. The goal is to introduce
next-generation PAEK polymers and composites while improving the performance of
the underlying AM processes. This collaboration is driven by Victrex R&D
and the University´s Centre for Additive Layer Manufacturing (Calm), a leading
centre of excellence. The new alliance will focus on multiple AM technologies.

Additive
Manufacturing is a key productivity tool of the future,which grew at approx. 21% last year. The
materials and technology to support AM continue to emerge, including the first
PAEK polymers designed, developed and optimised specifically for AM. “We are
excited to start this partnership and continue our R&D work on development
of high-performance materials and AM processes for today’s and future needs and
applications. The new PAEK polymer based materials will give designers and
developers the opportunity to use the best performing polymers within AM
processes and help make this dream a reality, transforming AM into a
high-performance production tool”, comments Oana Ghita, the lead of Calm at the
University of Exeter.

Victrex and
Calm started to work together in a consortium3 focussing on the development of
Victrex PAEK polymers for various 3D printing processes. After having achieved
major improvements, Victrex recently announced newly developed advanced PAEK
products designed for AM: A high strength material for laser sintering (LS), a
filament with better Z-strength than existing PAEK materials and better
printability for filament fusion (FF).

Improved
technologies for additive manufacturing of Victrex PAEK can open up a range of
possibilities for design engineers. Potential benefits of using PAEK polymer
for AM could include:

- greater
design freedom for engineers looking to deploy AM in high-performance applications
in a variety of industries;

- patient
customised implants and improved outcomes through new features and better fit.

"Victrex
is keen to help overcome barriers to adoption and realise the full potential of
PAEK/PEEK-based parts produced using AM technology," explains Ian Smith,
Marketing Director at Victrex. "In order to open up the AM supply chain,
we need to continue to work together to develop an eco-system that can address
unmet industry needs and accelerate the adoption of PAEK/PEEK for AM
technologies. This cooperation with the University of Exeter is one part of
Victrex´s efforts to construct that eco-system."

The
company expects two industries to benefit in particular during the initial
adoption phase. In the aerospace sector, the use of PAEK/PEEK in AM has the
potential to enable new designs and the consolidation of parts within a single
design. At the same time, it will allow the production of parts that would be
difficult to machine. In medical, AM in conjunction with PAEK will allow the
manufacture of medical devices to make patient specific implants. The prospect
of broad-based industry-wide adoption awaits as the eco-system develops and
improved solutions become available.

Subscribe online

Press registered at the Milan Court, n.144 at 03/22/2010 Pubblisher: Mario Maggiani.Reproduction prohibited, all rights reserved. The editorial staff disclaims all responsibility regarding the worth of articles and news from various sources.